Pipe spinner



Oct. 11, 1966 J. S.'MONTGQMERY 3,

PIPE SPINNER Filed May 13, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Jesse 8.Montgomery MM J mm ATTORNEY Oct. 11, 1966 J. s. MONTGOMERY 3,277,750

PIPE SPINNER Filed May 13, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet B INVENTOR. Jesse 8.Montgomery BY 44% J W ATTORNEY United States Patent apartnership FiledMay 13, 1964, Ser. No. 366,943 9 Claims. (Cl. 81-57) This inventionrelates to improvements in apparatus for making and breaking threadedjoints and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a pipespinner for use in the screwing and unscrewing of threaded drill pipe,drill rods, or the like, in the drilling or servicing of Well bores.

As is well known, drill pipe sections must be added to a drill stringduring a well drilling operation as the depth of the well boreincreases. As a result, there are many threaded, joints which must beconnected during the drilling operation. Conversely, it is frequentlynecessary to remove the drill pipe from the well bore and each pipesection must be unthreaded or unscrewed from the adjacent section as thestring is pulled from the bore. The initial spinning up or threading ofa pipe joint is usually accomplished manually through the use of aspinning line or spinig cable to make up the joint to an initialtightness, subsequent to which more powerful means may be used forcompleting the make up of the joint. These spining lines have certaindisadvantages in that not only is it time consuming but it canoftentimes be very dangerous or hazardous to the personnel.

The present invention contemplates a pipe spinner apparatus particularlydesigned and constructed for eliminating the necessity of a spinningcable, or the like. The novel pipe spinner comprises an outer housingsupporting an inner rotatable body having -a gripper element adapted toengage the outer periphery of the pipe section, or the like. A powermeans such as a motor is carried by the outer housing for rotation ofthe inner housing for quickly spinning the pipe to thread or unthreadthe pipe joint. The outer housing may be secured to a derrick structurein a manner whereby the apparatus may be quickly and easily disposedover the upper end of the uppermost drill pipe section and may be easilymoved to an out of the way position when not in use. The gripper memberis particularly designed for protection of the outer periphery of thepipe section and will slip around the pipe when suflicient tightness inthe threaded joint has been achieved. The gripper element will also slipalong the surface of the pipe in the event the threads become crossthreaded thus substantially eliminatin damage to the threads.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a novel pipespinner for facilitating the making up or break-ingout of a threadedjoint.

It is another object of this invent-ion to provide a 3,277,750 PatentedOct. 11, 1966 in connection with a detailed description of the drawingsin which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional elevational view of a pipe spinner embodying theinvention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of a portion of a well derrickhaving a pipe spinner embodying the invention secured thereto andengaging a drill string.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional elevational View of a modified pipespinner embodying the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to FIGURE 1,reference character 10 generally indicates a pipe spinner comprising anouter housing 12 and a rotatable inner housing 14. The housing 12 may beof substantially any desired configuration and .as depicted herein iscylindrical and provided with one open end 1 5 and an opening 16 at theopposite end thereof. A cover 18 is removable secured to the opening 16in any well known manner such as by a plurality of spaced bolts 20. Asuitable reversing motor 22 is carried by the cover 20 and extends inntothe interior of the housing 12 for a purpose as will be hereinafter setforth. The rotor 22 may be of any well-known type such as an air motor,a hydraulic motor, or an electric motor, if desired.

The inner housing 14 is preferably substantially concentrically disposedwithin the housing 12 to provide an annular chamber 23 therebetween. Thehousing 14 may be rotatably supported within the housing 12 in anysuitable manner and as depicted in FIGURE 1, an inwardly directedcircumferential shoulder 24 is provided on the inner periphery of theouter housing 12 for supporting a suitable bearing 26 which in turnsupports an outwardly directed circumferential shoulder 28 provided onthe outer periphery of the inner housing 14. In this manner the innerhousing 14 may be freely rotated with respect to the outer housing 12 ina manner as will be hereinafter set forth.. A suitable rotary seal 30 isnovel pipe spinning apparatus which may be quickly and easily disposedover a pipe section for the threading or unthreading of a pipe joint.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel pipe spinnerhaving a gripping element for engaging a tubular member in a mannersubstantially precluding damage thereto.

A further object of this invent-ion is to provide a novel pipe spinnerfor the making up or breaking out of a threaded joint in a manner foreliminating the necessity of spinning lines, or the like.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a novel pipespinner which is simple and efficient in operation and economical anddurable in construction.

Other and further objects and advantages features of the presentinvention will hereinafter more fully appear spaced from the shoulder 24and, as viewed in FIGURE 1, cooperates with complementary shoulders 32and 34 provided on the outer housing 12 and inner housing 14,respectively, for sealing the lower end of the chamber 23.

The housing 14 as shown herein is preferably substantially cylindricaland is provided with one open end 36 for disposition over a drill pipesection 38 therethrough in a manner and for a purpose as will behereinafter set forth. The opposite end 40 of the housing 14 ispreferably closed to provide a stop for limiting the movement of thedevice 10 in one direction with respect to the pipe 40. A yielding orflexible bladder or gripping element 42 is provided on the innerperiphery of the housing 14 and may be secured therein in any well knownmanner such as by a plurality of upper bolt or stud members 44 and lowerstud members 46. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures 48may be provided in the side walls of the housing 14 for admitting afluid or pressure behind or into engagement with the gripping element42. Replaceable segments (not shown) may be provided on the innerperiphery of the gripping element 42 in any well konwn manner forfacilitating the gripping of the outer periphery of the pipe 38 ifdesired.

A suitable ring gear 50 may be secured to the upper end 40 of the innerhousing 14 in any well known manner .such as by a plurality of spaced,studs 52. A beveled A suitable fitting 58 is provided in the housing 12to provide connection between the chamber 23 and a source of power fluid(not shown) whereby a fluid, such as air or hydraulic fluid may beadmitted into a chamber 23. Pressure in the chamber 23 is transmittedthrough the bores or apertures 48 for acting against the outer peripheryof the gripping element 42 for urging the gripper member 42 radiallyinwardly into a tight engagement with the outer periphery of the pipe38. Conversely, withdrawal of fluid from the chamber 23 reduces thepressure against the outer periphery of the gripper element 42 wherebythe element 42 will move radially outwardly for releasing the engagementwith the pipe 38. It will be apparent that mechanical means such asfluid operated cylinders (not shown) may be utilized to provide forradial contraction and expansion of the gripper element 42 if desired.The fluid operated cylinders thus used may be provided with spring means(not shown) for retract ing the cylinders to retract the boot or gripperelement 42 when it is desired to release the engagement of the pipe 38.Of course, the fluid operated cylinders would be actuated by the fluidpressure in the chamber 23. In addition, the lower end of the chamber 23is sealed by the rotary seal 30 for precluding leakage of fluidtherefrom.

The outer housing 12 is stationary with respect to the inner housing 14and may be secured to a derrick structure 58 (FIGURE 2) in any suitablemanner. As depicted herein, an outwardly expanding apertured flange 60is provided On the outer periphery of the housing 12 for securing thehousing 12 to a pair of mutually angularly disposed arms 62 and 64. Thearms 62 and 64 are preferably pivotal-1y secured in any well knownmanner (not shown) between the derrick structure 58 and the pipe spinnerwhereby the entire apparatus 10 may be pivoted to an out of the wayposition as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 2 when not in use.

OPERATION During the drilling of a well bore, or the like, as the depthof the bore increases and it becomes necessary to add sections of drillpipe to the drill string, the arms 62 and 64 may be actuated to permitthe pipe spinner 10 to be swung in a substantially clockwise directionfrom the out of the way position shown in dotted lines in FIG- URE 2 toa position over the upper end of the uppermost pipe 38 as shown in solidlines. The upper end of the pipe extends through the inner housing 14and the downward movement of the housing 14 with; respect to the pipe 38is limited by the engagement of the closed end 40 with the upper end ofthe pipe section. Fluid pressure may then be admitted from any suitablesource (not shown) through the fitting 58 for pressurizing the chamher23 and urging the gripping element or boot 42 radially inwardly, asshown in FIGURE 1, and into gripping engagement with the outer peripheryof the pipe 38. The motor 22 may then be actuated for rotating thehousing .14 in a right hand direction or the desired direction forspinning up or making up the threaded joint between the uppermost pipesection and the 'adjacent pipe section therebelow. When the threadedjoint has become sufliciently tightened, the pressure in the chamber 23may be relieved for permitting radially outward expansion of thegripping element 42. This releases the gripping engagement between theelement 42 and the outer periphery of the pipe 38 and the apparatus 10may be pivoted in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 2 tothe out of the way position. If desired, the threaded joint may befurther tightened by use of the usual power tongs, or the like (notshown).

As hereinbefore set forth, fluid actuated cylinders or pistons may beprovided in the housing 14 acting against the outer periphery of theboot 42 in order to provide the radial inward and outward movement ofthe boot. In this event, the pressure provided in the chamber 23 couldbe utilized for actuation of the cylinders for radially inward movementof the gripping boot 42 and release of the pressure in the chamber 23,being transmitted to the cylinders, would permit the cylinders to movethe boot 42 radially outwardly. Of course, spring means (not shown) mayalso be utilized in conjunction with the cylinders as is well known forfacilitating retraction of the cylinders for moving the boot 42 radiallyoutwardly to a disengaged position with respect to the pipe.

It will be apparent that rotation of the inner housing 14 may bereversed by reversal of the motor 22 when it is desired to unthread orbreak out a pipe joint as opposed to the threading or making up thereof.In addition, in the event the threads of the pipe joint become crossthreaded, or the like, during the making up of the connection, thegripper element will slip on the outer periphery of the pipe, thussubstantially eliminating damage to the threads.

MODIFICATION Referring now to FIGURE 3, a modified form of the inventionis generally indicated at 70, and comprises a stationary outer housing72 similar to the housing 12 having a rotatable inner housing 74concentrically disposed therein. The inner housing 74 may be rotatablysupported within the outer housing 72 in any suitable manner and asdepicted herein a pair of spaced shoulders 76 and 78 are provided on theinner periphery of the housing 72 for supporting suitable bearings 80and 82, respectively, which in turn support outwardly directed shoulders84 and 86 provided on the outer periphery of the inner housing 74.

The lower end 88 of the housing 72 is preferably open and the oppositeend thereof may be closed by a suitable cover 90 removably securedthereto in any well known manner, such as by a plurality of spaced studs92. A suitable reversing motor 94 is carried by the cover 90 and etxendsinto the housing 72 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. Inaddition, the housing 72 may be secured to or carried by the arms 62 and64 as hereinbefore set forth in the first embodiment of the invention.

The lower end 96 of the inner housing 74 is open for receiving the pipesection 38 therein and a radially expandable and contractible boot orgripping element 98 generally similar to the gripper element 42 may besecured to the inner periphery of the inner housing 74 in any well knownmanner such as by a plurality of bolts 100. The upper end 102 of thehousing 74 is preferably closed as clearly shown in FIGURE 3 and isprovided with a plurality of radially extending internal passageways104. It will be apparent that the end 102 may be closed by a separatecover element (not shown) removably secured to the housing 74, ifdesired. The passageway 104 extends into connection with thelongitudinally extending passageway 106 provided in the side walls ofthe housing 104and the passageway 106 terminates in an angular portion108 extending into communication with the outer periphery of the boot98. A suitable rotary seal element or device 110 is disposed within acentral bore 112 provided in the end wall 102 for providing con nectionof fluid from an upwardly extending conduit 114 to the radial passageway104 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The conduit 114extends outward -ly through a bore 116 provided in the cover 90 and intoconnection with a suitable source of pressure fluid (not shown). It isto be noted that fluid conduits (not shown) may be carried by. thehousing 74 in lieu of the passageways 104, 106 and 108 for conductingfluid pressure from the rotary seal to the outer periphery of thegripping element 98.

A ring gear 118' generally similar to the ring gear 52 is removablysecured to the upper end 102 of the housing 74 in any suitable mannersuch as by the spaced bolts 120 and cooperates with a beveled gear 122carried by the drive shaft 124 of the motor 94 for transmitting rotationto the inner housing 74.

The operation of the modified pipe spinner 70 is similar to that of thespinner and when the device 70 is disposed over the upper end of thepipe section 38, fluid pressure may be applied through the conduit 144and to the rotary seal 110. The rotary seal disperses the pressure fluidthrough the radial passageways 104 and to the passageways 106 fordischarge behind or against the outer periphery of the gripper element98. This pressure causes a radially inward movement of the boot 98 intoa gripping engagement with the pipe 38. Actuation of the motor 94 in onedirection transmits rotation to the housing 74 for spinning up thethreaded joint between the two adjacent pipe sections and of courseactuation of the motor 94 in an opposite direction will provide areverse action for the housing 74 for breaking out or -unthreading ofthe joint when desired.

From the foregoing it will be aparent that the present inventionprovides a novel pipe spinner designed and constructed for facilitatingthe making up and breaking of threaded joints in a manner eliminatingthe usual spinning line or cable. The novel pipe spinner may be quicklydisposed over the upper end of a pipe section and the gripper elementmay be radially expanded inwardly for gripping the outer periphery ofthe pipe. The inner housing may then be rotated for either threading orunthreading of the pipe joint, as desired. Subsequent to the threadingor unthreading operation, the pipe spinner may be moved to an out of theway position until it is to be used again.

Changes maybe made in the combination and arrangement of parts :asheretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, itbeing understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of theinvention may be made within the scope of the following claims, withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A pipe spinner comprising first housing means, second housing meanshaving an open end and a closed end and being rotatably supported bysaid first housing means, means provided for rotating said secondhousing, and gripping means carried by said second housing operable forengaging the outer periphery of a tubular member for spinning thereofduring rotation of the second housing and in both directions of rotationof said second housing.

2. A pipe spinner comprising first housing means, second housing meansrotatably supported within said first housing means, a power source forproviding rotation to said second housing means, flexible gripping meanscarried by said second housing means and operable to alternate extendedand retracted positions for alternate engagement and disengagement withthe outer periphery of a tubular member, and means for directing apressure force against the gripping means to provide said engagedposition thereof with the tubular member for rotation of the tubularmember during rotation of the second housing means.

3. A pipe spinner comprising a first housing, a second housing having aclosed end and an open end and being substantially concentricallydisposed Within said first housing, means cooperating between said firstand second housings whereby said second housing may be rotated withrespect to said first housing, a reversing motor carried by said firsthousing, means cooperating between the motor and the second housing fortransmitting rotation to the second housing, pipe gripping means carriedby the second housing and operable to alternate extended and retractedpositions, means for applying fluid pressure to said gripping means toprovide said extended and retracted positions therefor, and saidgripping means engageable with a tubular member in the extended positionthereof for rotating the tubular membed simultaneously with the secondhousing and in both directions of rotation of said motor and secondhousing.

4. A pipe spinner comprising a stationary outer housing, an innerhousing having an open end and a closed end and being rotatably disposedwithin the outer housing, a reversing motor carried by the outerhousing, gear means cooperating between the motor and the inner housingfor transmitting rotation to the inner housing, a contractable andexpandable gripping member secured to the inner periphery of said innerhousing and rotatable simultaneously therewith, means for directingfluid to and withdrawing fluid from the gripping member to providealternate contracted and expanded positions therefor, and said grippingmember in said expanded position engageable wit-h a pipe for rotation ofthe pipe simultaneously with the inner housing and in both directions ofrotation of said inner housing.

'5. A pipe spinner comprising a stationary outer housing, a rotatableinner housing concentrically disposed within said outer housing toprovide an annular pressure chamber therebetween, said inner housinghaving one end thereof open for receiving a pipe therethrough, areversing motor carried by the outer housing, gear means cooperatingbetween the inner housing and motor to transmit rotation to the innerhousing, a flexible gripping member secured to the inner periphery ofthe inner housing and rotatable therewith, means providing communicationbetween the outer periphery of the gripping member and the pressurechamber, means for directing fluid into the pressure chamber andrelieving the pressure therefrom, said gripping member responsive toincreased fluid pressure for expanding radially inward into engagementwith the pipe for rotating the pipe simultaneously with the innerhousing and responsive to relief of pressure for contracting radiallyoutward to release the engagement with the pipe.

6. A pipe spinner comprising a stationary outer housing, an innerhousing journalled in the outer housing for rotation with respectthereto and having one end open for receiving a pipe therethrough, areversing motor carried by the outer housing, gear means cooperatingbetween the motor and inner housing for transmitting rotation to theinner housing, a substantially annular expandable and contractablegripping boot secured to the inner periphery of the inner housing androtatable therewith, passageway means extending into communication withthe outer periphery of said gripping boot, means for directing fluidthrough said passageway means for intermittently exerting fluid pressureto the outer periphery of the gripping boot, and said gripping bootresponsive to the application of fluid pressure for expanding radiallyinward into gripping engagement with the pipe for rotation thereofsimultaneously with the inner housing.

7. A pipe spinner comprising a substantially cylindrical stationaryouter housing, a substantially cylindrical rotatable inner housingconcentrically disposed within the outer housing to provide an annularpressure chamber therebetween, said inner housing having one end .openfor receiving a pipe therethrough and the opposite end closed to limitthe longitudinal movement of the inner housing in one direction withrespect to thepipe, bearing means cooperating between the inner andouter housings for facilitating rotation of the inner housing, areversible motor carried by the outer housing, gear means cooperatingbetween the motor and the inner housing for transmitting rotation to theinner housing, radially expandable and contractible gripping meanscarried by the inner housing, seal means provided for the pressurechamber, means carried by the outer housing for alternately admittingfluid to and discharging fluid from the pressure chamber, means forcommunicating pressure from the pressure chamber to the outer peripheryof the gripping means whereby the gripping means is moved to alternateradially expanded and contracted positions, and said gripping means insaid expanded position engageable with the pipe for transmittingrotation thereto and in said contracted position being disengaged fromsaid pipe.

'8. A pipe spinner comprising a substantially cylindrical stationaryouter housing, a substantially cylindrical inner housing rotatablydisposed within said outer housing and having one end open for receivinga pipe therethrough and having the other end closed, bearing meanscooperating between said inner and outer housings for facilitatingrotation of the inner housing, a reversible motor carried by the outerhousing, gear means actuated by the motor for transmitting rotation tothe inner housing, and pressure operable gripping means carried by theinner housing for engaging the pipe to transmit rotation thereto in bothdirections of rotation.

9. A pipe spinner comprising a substantially cylindrical stationaryouter housing, a substantially cylindrical inner 10 secured to the innerperiphery of the inner housing and operable to alternate radiallyextended and contracted positions, passageway means extending intocommunication With the gripping member, rotary seal means for directingfluid to and from the passageway means, said gripping member responsiveto the application of pressure for flexing to a radially extendedposition for engaging the pipe to transmit rotation thereto andresponsive to release of pressure for flexing to a radially contractedposition to disengage the pipe.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,263,267 11/1941Franklin 8157 2,566,999 9/1951 Stone 81-57 X 2,618,468 11/1952 Lundeen81-57 3,023,995 3/1962 Hopkins 285-97 X WILLIAM FELDMAN, PrimaryExaminer.

JAMES L. JONES, Examiner.

1. A PIPE SPINNER COMPRISING FIRST HOUSING MEANS, SECOND HOUSING MEANSHAVING AN OPEN END AND A CLOSED END AND BEING ROTATABLY SUPPORTED BYSAID FIRST HOUSING, AND MEANS PROVIDED FOR ROTATING SAID SECOND HOUSINGOPERABLE GRIPPING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID SECOND HOUSING OPERABLE FORENGAGING THE OUTER PERIPHERY OF A TUBULAR MEMBER FOR SPINNING THEREOFDURING ROTATION OF THE SECOND HOUSING AND IN BOTH DIRECTIONS OF ROTATIONOF SAID SECOND HOUSING.